Family launches GoFundMe to cover costs of returning producer Matthew Wright to New York
Friends and colleagues have contributed to a GoFundMe campaign aimed at financing the transport, funeral and memorial expenses for former Ellen DeGeneres Show producer Matthew Wright, who died in Los Angeles.
A GoFundMe campaign created by the family of Matthew Wright, a former producer for the Ellen DeGeneres Show, seeks to cover the costs of returning his body from Los Angeles to New York and arranging funeral and memorial services. The fundraiser set a goal of $50,000, which was met within days, and notes that Wright’s husband, father, sister and niece reside in New York and wish to hold a proper goodbye.
The campaign states that the expenses include transportation, New York funeral costs and Los Angeles memorial costs, with any surplus intended for a trust for Wright’s niece, Sami. The cause of Wright’s death has not been disclosed.
Donations have come from several individuals connected to the show, including former executive producer Andy Lassner, who contributed $1,000, dancer Allison Holker, who gave $500, and Ellen DeGeneres, who donated $5,000. DeGeneres posted a video on Instagram expressing her condolences, describing Wright as "an amazing guy" who was "smart, kind" and well-liked by many.
As of Tuesday morning, nearly 400 donors have contributed to the campaign.